NEW STUDY FINDS PROPORTION OF BIRTHS TO UNWED MOMS INCREASING WHILE OVERALL BIRTHRATE DECLINES

SEOUL, August 8, 2009 -- A new study examining existing data trying to quantify the number of unwed mothers and their children, found that the proportion of babies being born to unwed mothers is rising in Korea. The study, “Reviewing Issues on Unwed Mothers’ Welfare in Korea: Intercountry Adoption, Related Statistics and Welfare Policies in Developed Countries,” was conducted by the Korean Women’s Development Institute and funded by the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network.

“The study’s purpose is to gain a fuller understanding of the changes in Korean culture that are having an impact on this underserved population in order to determine what it will take for Korea to provide the resources to support unwed mothers raising children under economic difficulties,” said Dr. Richard Boas, founder of the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network.

The number of children born out of wedlock has been steadily rising since 1989, from 5,161 to 7,774 recorded in 2007, according data from the Korean National Statistical Office, 2008 report, Vital Statistics.  At the same time, the numbers of children born where the mother’s marital status is unknown has fluctuated.  For instance, in 2007 the marital status of the mother was unknown in the case of an additional 2140 births.

What happens to the children born out of wedlock?  In Korea, intercountry adoption is one path that is reported. However, the data shows that a significant number of children’s fates are “unidentified.”  For example, according to estimates by researchers at the Korean Women’s Development Institute, of the 7,259 births recorded in 1991, the fate of 4,029 children is unknown. In 2007, where births by unwed moms totaled 7774, 3,014 children’s fate is unknown.

The researchers theorize that the “unaccounted” children have likely been adopted domestically, are in foster care or in institutional care.  Potentially, some of these children are being raised by unwed mothers, but were registered as births to the mother’s father or other male relative. The figures for actual adoptions are also likely skewed, say the researchers. Only 2.5% to 3.8% of domestic adoptions that the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family identifies are estimated to be registered as the adopted in court records, suggesting that many adoptions are “secret”, as the children are likely registered as biological children.

The number of unwed mothers raising their children seems to be rising, according to the researchers at Korean Women’s Development Institute.  In 2009, there are 2,464 unwed mothers living with children aged two and below and 15,783 mothers with children 18 and below.  This figure is in accordance with previous studies that show more unwed mothers wish to keep their children each year.  In 1984, only 5.8% reported that they wanted to keep their babies.  That number increased to 31.7% in 2005.

For a full copy of the report, please contact the Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network: Hee Jung Kwon:  hjcaro@naver.com, Tell: 82-2-734-5007.

ABOUT KUMSN:

The Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network advocates for the rights of unwed pregnant women, unwed mothers and their children in Korea.  The Network’s goal is to enable Korean women to have sufficient resources and support to keep their babies, if they choose, and thrive in Korean society, rather than feel compelled to give up their children for adoption or risk a life of poverty. 

Founded by Dr. Richard Boas, an American father who adopted a Korean daughter over twenty years ago, the Network’s primary focus is on raising awareness in Korea and amongst Korean groups in the US, to effect positive change.  The Network works to educate, inform and promote discussion of the difficulties facing unwed mothers and their children in Korea in order to elevate their economic, political and social potential in society.

      Sources : Korean National Statistical Office. 2008. Vital Statistics.

              Note : Unknown includes infant dead and the abandoned. The sharp increase of unknown from 1999 is possible through efforts to investigate the number of the infant dead through additional survey. In Korea, birth is legally identified through report to administrative office by parents or relatives. The infant dead with fatal disease from birth is less likely to be reported.     

Sources : Ⓑ Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Family 2008. Total Number of Adopted Children

within and outside Korea

  Ⓒ Estimated Number of Children raised by their own Mothers

Ⓓ Unidentified Children = Ⓐ - (Ⓑ + Ⓒ)

          Note  :   Ⓒis estimated based on previous survey results. The percentage of unwed mothers wishing to keep their children is 5.8%, 7.2%, 8.3%, 8.6%, 11%, and 31.7% each for 1984, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005.